In just a few days, on November 26, 2025, the people of the Erongo Region, indeed the entire nation, will head to the polls for the Regional Council and Local Authority Elections. The date has rightly been declared a public holiday by the President, ensuring that every eligible citizen has the time and opportunity to vote. This is not just another election; it is a defining moment for our communities, our local development, and our shared future.
As Observer Coastal, we urge every resident of Erongo and every voter in Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Arandis, Henties Bay, Omaruru, Karibib, and surrounding constituencies to make your way to the polling stations. These elections matter. They shape the very institutions responsible for delivering water, service plots, housing, business opportunities, sanitation, electricity, roads, community policing, and local economic development. Regional and local authority councils are the closest structures of governance to the citizen. They have a direct impact on your daily life, perhaps more than national politics does.
Do not sit this one out
Elections are not merely administrative processes; they are our collective expression of hope, dissatisfaction, aspiration, and demand. If you do not vote, you surrender your voice to others. You allow decisions about your community to be made without your participation. And when the dust settles and services falter, when you wonder why youth unemployment remains high, why informal settlements lack essential services, or why investment is slow, remember that your ballot is one of your strongest tools to influence these outcomes.
A democracy grows stronger when citizens show up. It weakens when voters stay home.
We acknowledge that concerns were raised recently when the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) detected discrepancies in some of the ballot paper packs supplied ahead of the elections. This discovery has understandably raised questions about the logistical aspects of the process. However, what must be equally acknowledged is that the detection was proactive, the issue was disclosed transparently, and corrective actions were set in motion without delay.
The ECN has reassured the nation that the integrity of the election will not be compromised. Namibia’s electoral system, while not perfect, remains one of the most established and respected in the region. The fact that irregularities were identified and addressed before the ballots reached the hands of voters shows a system committed to accountability. It is not the presence of challenges that defines an election; it is how those challenges are managed.
Trust cannot be demanded; it must be earned through action. But participation is equally essential. The only way to ensure a legitimate outcome is for as many citizens as possible to cast their vote. A high turnout strengthens democratic legitimacy and reduces opportunities for doubt, dispute, or manipulation. Staying home does the opposite.
Local elections matter more than many realise
It is a common mistake to underestimate the importance of regional and municipal elections. Many think national elections alone determine the country’s direction. Yet the truth is that the services you rely on daily – clean water, refuse collection, land delivery, town planning, community projects, youth development programmes, improvements to fishing and tourism industries, and local infrastructure – are determined right here, at the local authority and regional council levels.
In the Erongo Region, where economic activity is driven by fishing, mining, tourism, logistics, and increasingly energy, the effectiveness of local governance determines whether these industries grow or stagnate. Local councils decide how conducive the environment is for small businesses to thrive, whether housing backlogs shrink or balloon, and whether community development remains a slogan or becomes a tangible reality.
These are the decisions that affect:
• The affordability and availability of serviced land
• The pace of residential and industrial development
• Transparent allocation of municipal contracts
• Environmental management along our coastline
• Job creation opportunities for our youth
• Safety, security, and disaster preparedness
• Tourism-friendly town planning
• Accountability in local spending
Ignoring these elections is like ignoring the steering wheel of the vehicle you are riding in.
A public holiday is not a day off: It is a day of duty
The President’s decision to declare the election date a public holiday should be seen for what it truly is: an invitation and a reminder. Democracy works best when citizens have no excuse not to participate. A day free from work is not a bonus for leisure but a recognition that voting is a civic duty on par with national service.
Wake up early. Stand in the queue. Take your ID. Bring a friend, a neighbour, or a family member. Make the day meaningful.
Erongo must lead by example
Erongo is one of Namibia’s most economically vibrant regions, home to some of the country’s most diverse communities. Let us also be the region that sets the tone for democratic participation. Let us show the nation that we do not take our freedoms for granted. Let us demonstrate that we understand the power of our vote.
On November 26, let us vote not out of habit but out of conviction.
Vote because you care about the future of your town.
Vote because development begins at home.
Vote because democracy demands your presence.
Erongo residents, let your voice be heard. The future of our region depends on you.
